Sexuelle Gesundheit
Oxytocin
Soziales Neuropeptid
Nonapeptide governing social bonding, trust, pair bonding, arousal, and reproductive function. Primary research tool for social neuroscience, ASD, PTSD, and attachment biology.
Aminosäuren9
Mol. Gewicht1007.2 Da
Halbwertszeit1–6 Minuten (i.v.); längere intravenöse Gabe
Verfügbarkeit
✅ Auf Lager
Aminosäuresequenz
Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH₂
What Is Oxytocin?
Oxytocin is synthesised in the hypothalamic PVN and SON, released both peripherally (posterior pituitary) and centrally (axonal projections). One of the most evolutionarily conserved peptides in vertebrate neuroscience, with roles spanning uterine contraction (peripheral) to social bonding, trust, and sexual reward (central).
Schlüsselmechanismen
- OTR / Gq / PLC / IP3 — primary intracellular cascade: Ca²⁺ release and PKC activation
- Mesolimbic dopamine — OTR in NAc potentiates D2 signalling; basis of social reward
- Amygdala CRF suppression — PVN→CeA projections reduce fear conditioning and anxiety
- Serotonin cross-talk — bidirectional 5-HT feedback in dorsal raphe
Wichtige Referenzen
- Kosfeld M et al. “Oxytocin increases trust in humans.” Natur, 2005;435:673–676.
- Insel TR, Young LJ. “The neurobiology of attachment.” Nat Rev Neurosci, 2001;2:129–136.